Here’s how Columbus voted on multiple amendments to city charters
Along with statewide races for governor, the U.S. House and Senate, local residents also voted on a number of ballot initiatives to make amendments to the City of Columbus Charter during Tuesday’s election.
Here’s a look at each amendment and the unofficial and incomplete voting results:
Terms for Board of Tax Assessors
The first proposed amendment asked residents whether changes should be made in the language of certain provisions of the charter that would allow the Columbus Council to set the term of members of the Board of Tax Assessors.
Columbus residents approved of the Article IV charter amendment with about 76% voting for approval.
Municipal and Recorder’s Court
Around 79% of Columbus voters approved a change to Article V in the Columbus Charter that would make changes to the sections of the article pertaining to Municipal and Recorder’s Court that would make it consistent with state law.
Timing of elections
A proposed amendment to Article VI of the charter would make changes to the timing of regular and special elections consistent with state law. The measure passed with 72% voting for approval.
Three changes related to tax dollars, audits
There were three proposed changes in the amendment to Article VII - Chapter 4 of the charter voters were asked to approve.
The first change allows city officials to see the past three years of financial performance to use as a comparison when making decisions in the budget process. This gives officials the clear information they need when allocating tax dollars, writes Charter Review Commission member Tyson Begly in a write-up of the proposed changes.
The second proposed change would add approximately 60 days to the auditing process to ensure there is enough time to complete lengthy audits while being consistent with state law and bond requirements. This change will account for the additional time needed in the years when there are changes in internal or external personnel, such as a new auditor, Begly wrote.
The last proposed change creates an Audit Committee within the City Council. The Government Finance Officers Association considers this type of committee to be a “best practice,” Begly wrote.
Columbus residents approved of the amendment to Article VII - Chapter 4 with about 80% voting for the changes.
Columbus Council & land sales
An amendment to Article VII - Chapter 5 in the charter would allow the Columbus Council to more easily sell land to adjacent owners.
The amendment was narrowly approved by Columbus residents with 52% voting for the changes.
Sheriff of Muscogee County
An Article VIII amendment on whether to refer to the Sheriff as the Sheriff of Muscogee County was approved by voters.
Ethics violations
Columbus voters approved a change making violations of the Code of Ethics to be punishable by a fine up to $1,000.
Digital notification by City Council
Residents approved a change to modernize notice requirements to allow digital notification in addition to published notification and give the council the authority to provide alternate means of notifications when the required method is unavailable.
This story was originally published November 8, 2022 at 11:32 PM.
